Psychiatric Technician Assistant (Safety) (Certified Nursing Assistant)

Job Description and Duties

Under the direction of the Shift Lead provides a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment on the unit where forensic individuals reside. The PTA also assists licensed care staff by participating in the rehabilitation/habilitation treatment programs, including behavioral management training, care, and supervision. Assist individuals in developing and utilizing their potential for self-care, activities of daily living, and perform other related work for which training has been received. A PTA must have the ability to work extended hours and various shifts and must float to all work areas within the facility if called upon to do so.

A PTA must maintain professional manner and a high level of work performance when conducting themselves in their job duties.

* Must maintain required Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification to practice as a Psychiatric Technician Assistant.

* Must maintain current on all required annual training and complete annual physical requirements.

Temporary state housing may be available for those relocating to fill hard to recruit positions. Housing assignments and rates will be determined in accordance with Department policy, operational priorities, and applicable labor agreements.

This position is not eligible for telework, this position is in person only. 

Interested individuals may take the Psychiatric Technician Assistant (Safety) examination to obtain list eligibility. Click the following link or copy and paste the link into your web browser to be taken to the Exam Bulletin where you will find the instructions for the exam:

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You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:  Regular interactions on a residence or at a training site where an individual may receive training or services. Mandatory overtime may be required on a periodic and rotating basis. Working different units within the Facility may also be required. Need to be able to set and shift priorities as needed. Exposure to communicable diseases, and other conditions common to a clinical/nursing environment. Work is performed at a level that requires constant awareness of safety and security with individuals and the environment by ensuring individuals do not have any type of non­ allowable items that could be used as weapons. May spend time performing custody tasks which includes escorting forensic individuals in the facility; counting, distributing, and accounting for all utensils and other equipment/tools to prevent their use as weapons; inspecting facilities to identify security breaches that could lead to the escape of a forensic individual; and observing and intervening in forensic individual behavior that may injure people, damage property, or signal impending escape attempts. All employees at PDC are mandated reporters and must report all cases of suspected abuse.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Escorting individuals to different areas on/off campus­ appointments/scheduled trips - which may include driving a State vehicle (golf cart, van, car, etc.), standing for periods of time in different areas of the unit or training sites, responding to all behavioral/medical interventions as required. Must possess and maintain sufficient strength, agility, endurance, and sensory ability during mentally and emotionally stressful I emergency situations encountered on the job to not endanger their own health and well-being or that of their fellow employees, forensic individuals, or the public and be able to perform the duties contained in this duty statement.

Level of care employees will be required to perform the following Essential Functions:

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds without assistance.
• Must be able to participate in individual containment, intervention or restraint.
• Must have the ability to work extended hours and various shifts.
• Must float to all work areas within the facility if called upon to do so.

Special Requirements

Selected candidates are subject to special requirements. This position is required to complete a medical evaluation.

Electronic application submission is highly encouraged.

Submit a completed standard state application (STD. 678); copy of CNA certificate; and copy of high school diploma/transcripts, GED, or college transcripts by the final filing date. Applications submitted for vacancies must include the Position Title and Position Number in the Job Title Section and MUST be signed and dated. Applicants should indicate on their application, in the job title section, the type of eligibility they currently possess and which qualifies them to apply at this time. In the "Employment History” section of the application you must list your current employment history by providing the To and From dates with the month, day and year, the hours per week that you worked, which should be a whole number and not a range and the Total Worked (years/months). You must complete the Duties Performed section on the application. Applications with “see resume” are not acceptable. Applications received without all of this information will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. Candidates who do not submit all of the required documents will not be considered in the selection process. Surplus applicants must attach a copy of their surplus letter. Applications may be obtained from the Human Resources Personnel Office at the Porterville Developmental Center or completed and downloaded from the website indicated below. NOTE: All appointments are subject to State Restriction of Appointment (SROA), Departmental Restriction of Appointment (DROA), and Re-employment List procedures, pre-employment physical and fingerprint clearances. Further Information on the definition of the above may be found on the California State Department of Human Resources website at . 

*** You must submit a copy of your high school diploma/transcripts, GED, or college transcripts to prove you meet the MQs. Please redact birthdate and social security number from transcripts. If selected for hire, an official transcript will be required prior to being appointed. Note: All foreign transcripts MUST be accompanied by a third party academic credential evaluation . ***Foreign Degrees or Transcripts – Applicants with foreign degrees or transcripts who wish to apply that coursework toward meeting the minimum qualifications of the classification must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which his/her foreign coursework is equivalent. PDC accepts foreign transcript evaluations that are completed by one of the services listed on these webpages:
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- Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc.

Benefits

As a state employee working for the Department of Developmental Services, you and your family will have access to excellent medical, dental and vision insurance benefits in addition to retirement benefits. 

Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment. Additional benefits may also be outlined for specific bargaining units in employee collective bargaining contracts. For more information, please visit the links below:

Cutoff Dates

Applications are being accepted on a continuous basis until the position is filled. The first cutoff date will be 08/14/2026 with cutoff’s every month thereafter and may be processed as conditions warrant to meet hiring needs.

Additional Information

Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment. This recruitment may be utilized to fill future vacancies that may occur during the life of the certification list.

Pursuant to California Government Code requirements, candidates must be residents of the State of California at the time of appointment.

This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States. The Department does not sponsor employment visas for this position.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.